If your upper eyelids are starting to do more drooping than lifting — sliding into your lashes, stealing the edges of your vision, or just giving you that “are you tired?” look — upper blepharoplasty might be exactly what you’ve been searching for (without knowing it had a name).
It’s not about changing your face. It’s about gently removing what’s in the way, so you can see clearly and feel a little more like you again. Rested. Lifted. Light around the eyes. Like you just came back from a great nap, a long holiday, or the kind of life reset that usually takes a few months in the Himalayas.
In short, it’s a procedure that removes excess skin, a bit of muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelid. It’s especially helpful if you’re dealing with saggy lids that are getting in the way of your vision, or just making you feel a little weighed down. Literally or emotionally. Both count.
If you’re looking for the best Blepharoplasty South Africa has to offer, we’ve got you. You’ll chat to your surgeon beforehand to go over your goals, concerns, and medical history. On the day of the procedure, you’ll either be given a local anaesthetic with a sedative (a lovely combo that helps you nap through the whole thing) or general anaesthetic if needed. The incision? It’s carefully placed in the natural crease of your eyelid, so once it heals, it’s almost invisible. From there, your surgeon will remove the extra skin and tissue, then close everything up neatly.
Expect a little swelling and bruising for the first week or two (bring the big sunglasses — you’ve earned them). Most people are back to normal activities after a week, with full healing happening gradually over the next few weeks. The final results? A lifted, more open look that still feels entirely like you, just a little more awake. And the results tend to stick around for years.
Like any surgery, there are small risks involved — things like scarring, infection, or dry eyes. But when your procedure is done by a highly experienced oculoplastic surgeon (like the ones at ALCHIMIA Clinic), those risks are minimal and carefully managed. You’re in excellent hands.
Our team — Dr. Leandri Linde, Dr. Hamzah Mustak, and Dr. Lionel Jedeikin — are some of Cape Town’s most trusted names in oculoplastic and aesthetic eye surgery. This is their craft. Their speciality. Their art.
At ALCHIMIA, your eyelid lift won’t just be technically flawless — it’ll be thoughtfully tailored to your face, your goals, and your comfort. No cookie-cutter results. No overly dramatic changes. Just careful, precise enhancement that lets your natural features shine.
During your consultation, we’ll walk you through everything: pricing, potential outcomes, recovery, and any questions you’ve been quietly Googling at midnight. (We’ve heard them all.) Ready when you are. We’ll be here with all the answers — and probably a warm cup of tea, too.
The above lady underwent upper blepharoplasty / (Droopy Ptosis) eyelid correction. Eyelid Ptosis Repair corrects drooping of the upper eyelid, which can obstruct vision, cause eye strain, and affect appearance. The procedure tightens or repositions the eyelid muscles, restoring proper function and improving vision and symmetry. Recovery is straightforward, offering enhanced vision, comfort, and a rejuvenated appearance for those affected by ptosis.
Preoperative upper blepharoplasty
Conservative blepharoplasty and ptosis repair in a dry eye patient. She had no exacerbated symptoms post-operatively and greatly improved visual quality and cosmesis.
One week post-operative outcome of a patient who underwent a blepharoplasty and ptosis repair. The patient reported improved social interaction and work associations as her “tired-appearance” resolved.
Advanced age-related lid drooping and orbit hollowing is treated surgically for improved cosmesis and visual function.
The upper lids should be a few millimetres above the black part of the eye. This patient had improved vision after her blepharoplasty and ptosis repairs.
Lid drooping adds to the aged appearance of the eyes. Lifting the lids with minimally invasive techniques and adding volume shows marked improvement. Please note: this procedure was in combination with Prof Mustak
Swelling and bruising from lid surgery settles mostly after the first week or two after surgery, as seen in this photo.
Upper sulcus hollowing greatly amplifies the aged, tired appearance, and will be worsened by performing a blepharoplasty. This patient received a combination technique which gives a marked improvement one week after surgery, not only in lid height but also in volume which rejuvenated her natural features.
Men often opt for “less is more”. A generous blepharoplasty, even without a brow lift, still gives a dramatic effect to the eye area.
Blepharoplasty is a surgery where excess droopy skin is excised from the upper lids. This can be further enhanced with botox and filler in the surrounding areas.
Upper lid surgery gives almost instant improvement in cosmesis and function for most patients.
One week after blepharoplasty and ptosis repair.
Six weeks after blepharoplasties.
Two weeks after blepharoplasty and ptosis repair.
Male features should be respected and not feminised by surgery. Satisfactory improvement can be seen where tired and sad features are changed to a rejuvenated masculine look.
Six weeks after blepharoplasty and ptosis repairs. The incision is well hidden in the lid crease, and the patient has improved symmetry and cosmesis.